St Nonna's Church

Bodmin Moor, United Kingdom

St Nonna's Church is the second largest church on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. The dedication is to Saint Non or Nonna, who was the mother of St David. The church is mentioned in Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn; it is the church in which the evil vicar of Altarnun Francis Davey depicts himself in a painting as a wolf while the members of his congregation have the heads of sheep.

The church is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Trigg Major, the archdeaconry of Bodmin, and the diocese of Truro. Its benefice is united with those of Saint Sidwell and Saint Gulval, Laneast, and Saint Clederus, St Clether. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

The oldest fabric dates back to the Norman era. Most of the church dates from the later part of the 15th century, at which time the north and south aisles were added. The church was restored in 1867 by E. Sedding.

It is a building largely of the 15th century in the Perpendicular style, with a tower 33 m high. It is notable for the fine Norman font and the amount of old woodwork, including the screen, bench-ends and communion rails which date to 1684.

The screen is one of the finest 15th century examples in Cornwall; it has three gates and the cornice of vines and tracery and vaulting are finely carved. The 79 bench-end carvings were executed by Robert Daye between 1510 and 1530 (Pevsner attributes them to 1524 or later) and portray a range of subjects including a Cornish piper and fiddler (Daye's name is given on one but the date is illegible).

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Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Religious sites in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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User Reviews

Mat Dodol (2 years ago)
Beautiful bridge and church. The pew-ends are historically and artistically fascinating. Also...very clean public toilets by the bridge! ?
Neil Clements (2 years ago)
Came here to learn to ring bells. Good group of bell ringers who like to laugh a lot and usually get a pint or two up The Rising Sun afterwards. Bell ringing lessons are every Wednesday from 18:30 to 20:30.
Alexander Thorndyke (2 years ago)
Beautiful old church with fantastic woodwork. I think Doc Martin got married here if you're into the show. I'm not, but a bit of trivia to go with your visit..
Donna (2 years ago)
Beautiful church historically known as the cathedral on the moor. Residing in a beautiful quaint village...
Victoria Pearce (3 years ago)
Beautiful church in a gorgeous little village. It was shut when we visited but was still a nice place to visit, we will definitely be back to see inside
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